Senior players could return for Morecambe against Stevenage

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley hopes to field a more experienced side against Stevenage at the Globe Arena on Saturday.

A young backline was ruthlessly exposed at Cambridge on Tuesday night as the U’s inflicted a club record 7-0 defeat on The Shrimps.

The hosts went in front from the spot in the sixth minute, Luke Berry converting after Aaron McGowan had felled Harrison Dunk, before running riot on one of the bleakest nights in Morecambe’s recent history.

This Saturday Barry Roche is set to replace Kieran O’Hara in goal after suspension however while Shaun Beeley and Adam Dugdale could be fit again after injury.

Bentley said: “We said at the time the inexperience of the back line was crucial.

“We started okay but had one poor moment with the penalty and it seemed to rock the back lads from then on.

“We probably didn’t have the experience and character you need in there to steady the ship.

“Shaun Beeley may be back, Andy Parrish is in the squad, Barry Roche is back from suspension and Adam Dugdale could come back into the reckoning because he played 55-60 minutes in the reserves at Bradford on Wednesday and he’s the most experienced defender at the club.”

If Beeley is not fit after a thigh strain full back could be something of a problem position with Burnley loanee Luke Conlan also struggling.

Laurence Wilson isn’t an option having officially left the club with his contract due to expire in the summer.

Bentley said: “We had to take Luke Conlan off the other day (at Cambridge).

“He had a gash on his knee and struggled through to half-time and once he’d stopped it swelled up so we’ll have to assess him.”